Along with the memo, the campaign links to a web tool called "The Life of Julia," which follows the character from the age 3 to 67, suggesting how one such woman would be impacted by the policies of the two presidential candidates.

For example, under President Barack Obama, Julia at age 23 can fight for a right to equal pay, because he signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, according to the web tool. But Julia doesn't know her fate under a President Romney because he hasn't said whether he would have signed the Lily Ledbetter Act.

With Obama in the White House Julia at age 67 receives full Social Security benefits and volunteers at a community garden. Under a President Romney, the tool says, her benefits "could be cut 40%".

The campaign is releasing the tool and memo on the same day Romney plans to appear with Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who is widely believed to be among the top contenders for the GOP vice presidential slot.

McDonnell has become something of a lightening rod among left-leaning women's groups after he supported – then modified – legislation that would have required women seeking abortion to submit to an invasive ultrasound before the procedure.

In the memo, the Obama campaign tries to tar Romney with the McDonnell controversy.

First portraying Romney's positions as anti-woman – he'd "defund Planned Parenthood", cut investments in education "that disproportionately hurt women" and weaken "women's health and retirement security," - Cutter goes on to say "Gov. McDonnell has resorted to running television ads to try and improve his reputation among Virginia women after pushing through a law that mandates women undergo ultrasounds that doctors say serve no medical purpose."

"At the same time they're making more promises to take us backward ... President Obama will move us forward," Cutter says "Forward" is the first of the Obama campaign's mottos.

Cutter also seeks to win women's support by pointing out the president was raised by a single mother and is the father of two girls. Translation: he "gets it."

Because the memo was released to reporters overnight, a response wasn't immediately available from the Romney campaign, but it has addressed the issue before.

"The U.S. economy is a hostile workplace for women under President Obama," Ed Gillespie, a senior advisor to the Romney campaign, said earlier on NBC's "Meet the Press." "We look forward to this debate."

And modifying a line Mitt Romney used in a primary night speech, Gillespie said, "it's still the economy and women aren't stupid."

Responding to the new "Julia" campaign, the Republican National Committee came out with its own version of Julia's life since Obama took office.

"Julie is bummed. Her share of the national debt went up $16,345 under Obama," an RNC release read.

In another example, the RNC said: "Julia the commuter has to pay double for gas from what she paid 4 years ago."

The group posted a series of similar statements on Twitter with the hashtag "#Julia."

The fight for the women's vote has been fierce and will no doubt continue to be until Election Day. That's in part because women are reliable voters so both campaigns will target them.

But the president has an added incentive to go after women - he has a ceiling among white men.

CNN polling shows his approval among white men averages 36% to 37% with only short-lived bursts of higher approval.

During the 2008 election he performed far better among white men, winning 41% of their vote.

The campaign is working to make up for this in a number of ways: making sure the African-American turnout is high, registering young voters, and turning out Latinos and first-time voters as well.

But women voters can make the biggest difference of all, which is why they're getting so much attention.

soundoff(6 Responses)

These women also couldn't get breast or ovarian cancer tests due to the right wing social engineering Mitt McCain/Ryan budget that doubles the student loan rate in June.

May 3, 2012 06:16 am at 6:16 am |

Marie MD

You have finally said something smart gillespie. Yes, women are NOT stupid. We know how your sociorobot feels about women. Keep them at home tending to the kids with the nannies and chaufers and cooks then bring themout when they are needed, except she doesn't help his campaign one bit, when you think she has something to say, which she doesn't.
I can assured you that the men in our family are listening to the hate against women by the party of hell no and how many teapublikans want to keep women barefoot and pregnant and making less money than men. Never mind the invasive procedures the conferedate month governor of Virginia wanted to impose on women and how NOW he is back pedalling on abortion issues.
Good luck! As you guys all know, we DON'T FORGET and sometimes WE DON'T FORGIVE!!

May 3, 2012 06:22 am at 6:22 am |

Really, CNN?

Way to deflect with the use of "invasive" rather than the more correct "transvaginal probe" or "rape" CNN, That's right, the GOBP cult's transvaginal probing would be rape under many state laws. The inescapable conclusion is that a substantial portion of the GOPB either promotes rape-like medical procedures for political purposes or else looks the other way while fellow GOBP cultmembers promote rape-like policies. Then again, this should be no surprise. The GOBP cult and its parasitic owners from the vulture capitalist elites have been raping America economically for years.

May 3, 2012 06:49 am at 6:49 am |

Wire Palladin, S. F.

After been subjected to Karl Rove's negative attacks on TV for 4 months, Floridians are confused. They think that by having the Mittens Ryan plan reduce their social security and medicare, that may be good. Veterans now want to make more sacrifices by getting fewer benefits under the GOP. Finally, it seems that 43% of Floridians want to pay for even bigger tax cuts for the wealthy, big oil, and big corporations,

May 3, 2012 07:23 am at 7:23 am |

Wire Palladin, S. F.

Right wingnuts say that it is not fair for our president to point out that the Bush / republicans drove our country into the crapper, because Bush is not running for president. Contrast that to the current GOP candidate who appears to be running in the 1970'a against Jimmy Carter. Mittens must have forgotten that Carter also inherited a republican mess, (gas lines, high interest rates, high inflation), but in spite of all that, Carter created 11 million jobs. On a good day, Mittens could not carry Carter's jock.

May 3, 2012 07:28 am at 7:28 am |

MaryM

My fellow women voters. If you have any doubt that the GOP/TP/Repubs do not have your best interest at heart. Just do a little research and see what type of legislation they are passing or trying to pass in the states and the U.S. house of reps. You can start with Gov. Bob, transvaginal probeMcDonnell in VA.